The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Sophia looked a bit awkward.

It's no longer a matter of accepting or not.

Since they're married and have a kid, in theory, there's nothing wrong with living under one roof as a family.

But maybe because she doesn't have any memories related to them, losing shared memories essentially turns them into strangers. Everything, including habits, perceptions, and intimacy, needs to be rebuilt and nurtured from scratch. Living together is bound to be filled with inconveniences and adjustments.

"I..." Sophia paused, “I might need stto get used to and adapt.” After saying this, she looked at him with a touch of apology: "Since I woke up, it's been Amanda by my side, and I've been under the impression that I'm single. I kinda got used to flying solo, and now suddenly transitioning to a life with a family and kids, I'm feeling a bit out of my element." "It's okay." Brandon gave her a gentle smile, "Let's just pretend we're... starting from scratch, getting to know each other again." Sophia gave a forced smile, not feeling a strong desire or anticipation for the idea he suggested, still feeling lost and uneasy, like there's an emotion lurking deep in her subconscious.

She couldn't quite put her finger on it.

The feeling of amnesia made her feel like a stranger to herself, let alone to others.

Brandon didn't miss the confusion and unease in her eyes and could somewhat understand her feelings.

Even with amnesia, the determination to keep her distance from him seemed ingrained in her bones.

He felt a twinge of bitterness in his heart but didn't call her out on it, nor did he push her on the matter. Instead, he softly reassured her, "Don't overthink it. When we get back, we'll start off with separate rooms, just like roommates. That should make you feel more at ease." Sophia was somewhat surprised by his concession.

She glanced at him and nodded slightly: "Thank you." Brandon just smiled slightly, not bothering with a formal "you're wee" in return.

Kent and Susan quickly packed up the dinner and brought it back.

It was their first dinner together since reuniting with Sophia, but being in a hospital, they couldn't make a fuss. Susan felt a bit regretful about it.

Luckily, Sophia was getting discharged the next day, and Susan had taken the day off to help tidy up and prepare a grand wee hfor her.

Kent also took the day off to help with the preparations.

Sophia was unaware of these plans.

She spent the night in the hospital.

Brandon stayed to keep herpany, initially planning for Theresa to go hwith Susan, but Theresa, perhaps fearing her mother would disappear again, refused to leave and stayed at the hospital as well.

Whether it was because it had been oo long since she last saw Sophia or because. Sophia's amnesia created a sense of unfamiliarity Brandon noticed that although heresa was by Sophia's side, the atural intimacy they used to share seemed to have faded. Content elongs to english He could tell Sophia was trying to be good to Theresa, but without the memories of their shared life to back her up, her tenderness, while genuine, lacked that innate sense of closeness.

Sophia was clearly aware of the issue, and despite trying to hide it, Brandon saw her sadness.

"Take it slow. Theresa hasn't seen you in so long; it's normal for her to feel a bit shy and overwhelmed." After putting Theresa to bed, Brandon spoke to Sophia in a low,forting voice.

Sophia nodded gently, knowing he wasforting her and feeling grateful, but the sadness was real. She was a bit at a loss.

et "Let's get ssleep," Brandon said, not wanting her to dwell on it too long. "For you, both Theresa and le are like strangers you met for the first ttoday; it's normal to feel distant. Living together for a while will help." Sophia nodded again, not letting herself wallow in this issue, especially since her body, still weak, couldn't handle the emotional strain.

She fell asleep quickly.

Watching her breathing gradually be smooth and deep, Brandon's smile slowly faded into contemplation and a faint sense of aimlessness.

In truth, this stranger version of Sophia was new to him too.

He missed the Sophia with all their shared memories.

And he feared that she might nevere back.

Even though she was right in front of him, there was still a void in his heart.

He couldn't help but gently hold Sophia's hand.

Her fingers twitched but she didn't wake up.

Brandon held her hand a little tighter, glanced at Theresa who was also sleeping soundly in her arms, then turned to pick up his phone, looking at messages he hadn't had the chance to check all afternoon and evening.

In WhatsApp, Harvey Ferber had sent him sphotos and text messages.

They were pictures of Sophia in the ICU, covered in tubes with life support monitors displaying her weak vital signs.

The timestamp in the corner of the photos detailed the entire process of hera.

Harvey Ferber left him a message: "That night, my mom and I were passing by the river and saw her washed up on the shore, half-submerged in the water, with disheveled hair and her faceo smeared with blood, barely hanging on. We took her aboard our boat; her injuries were severe, and the doctors had issued several critical condition notices. She had been in aa for over a month; the first tyou con board was the first tshe regained consciousness, but it was only a brief return to awareness, lasting less than five minutes before she slipped away again."